She came to me and told me her story
Filled with betrayal and broken trust
She held back her tears as I held her hand
Her good name crushed and scattered as dust
I stared in disbelief; what could I do?
I couldn’t change the rumors that had been spread
All I could do was stand by her side
As she tried to disprove what they’d said

If only we’d realize
The things our words do
The hurt that they cause
When we don’t think them through
Simply to love
Is God’s greatest command
How can we do that when
We make two sides on which to stand?

I listened in silence for a second time
To words about someone I knew
Someone told someone who told someone else
And they all were convinced it was true
My loyalties divided; who do I trust?
Whose side do I stand on this day?
I see walls erected, the battle begins
Will they gossip now over what I say?

If only we’d realize
The things our words do
The hurt that they cause
When we don’t think them through
Simply to love
Is God’s greatest command
How can we do that when
We make two sides on which to stand?

If I choose to believe the things that they say
On the say-so of other people’s word
I’m no better than those that started the gossip
Just trusting what everyone heard
I choose to find the good and not follow the crowd
Let God say if I’m right or wrong
Because I know if the rumors can stop with me
Then I’ll be in the right all along.

If only we’d realize
The things our words do
The hurt that they cause
When we don’t think them through
Simply to love
Is God’s greatest command
How can we do that when
We make two sides on which to stand?